Coming Home!

So handsome!!!
We have met so many people and have become very close. It's rather like sharing the birth experience with group of strangers. It's very strange that tomorrow we will all split up and go our seperate ways. Very bittersweet. This is Brent with his new son Elijah. He and his wife Holly have been wonderful.
This is Karrin and Rob with their new daughter Carly Bing. She was eager to get to know Casey but speaks almost no English. She's the sweetest girl ever. Her parents own a animal rescue ranch. What great people.

Tomorrow at this time we will be on a plane to Hong Kong, where we will pick up our connecting flight to Newark (Luke's version of Eliis Island), and then home in time to try to adjust to whatever time zone we're actually on now. We find ourselves up at 4-5 in the morning China Eastern Time, which is roughly 3-4 in the afternoon US Eastern time. I have no idea what we are doing or what we will be like when we get there. But we will be home. Thursday night 8:30pm.

Today we pack, a very daunting prospect. I (Mike) am inclined to leave everything here, except Luke and his supplies and just buy new clothes and hygiene when we get home. Hopefully, we'll be able to dump some ballast (the food suitcase) but I'm guessing we will be coming back with more than we left.

Nice segue into yesterday. Shopping, and paperwork. Our paperwork, in an unusual turn went without a hitch, so all that's left is "taking the oath" at the consulate and Le, Ping Jun will become Luke Jun Cudmore the moment we touch down in Jersey! As for the shopping...Anne better take that part.



Casey and I went to the pearl market yesterday to spend our remaining few dollars, it was really fun, the store had bags and bags of pearls piled everywhere like sand bags! We got a few things, and also enjoyed looking in the high rent clothing stores, Casey got a cool shirt, and lots of compliments and stares. People just can't believe how tall and slender she is, and how long and curly her hair is. They stand and gawk, and talk to her. It is getting a little embarrasing for her I think.



Sadly, the fed ex package of formula never arrived, so Casey and I took a cab to a big superstore in town to try to find American Similac. Luckily we were able to get it, it was soooo much more expensive than the Chinese version, and the cans even had magnetic boots tied to them to prevent shoplifting! That's more security than the pearls had!



We can not WAIT to get home, please keep your fingers crossed for a delay free and safe trip, we are almost there! Missing Ross is becoming excruciating. Our family needs to be together. It's time to be a Party of Five.



Finally, as for Mr. Wonderful... he was able to pick up a baggy full of Cheerios 6 times in a row, on purpose. First use of his hands for anything other than looking at them. This is huge. Every day is another gift.